2012 Academy for STEM Success

A National Model Summer Bridge Program for Incoming High School Graduates
interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Majorsa production of the
San Diego City College School of Engineering & Technologies, Mathematics, Sciences and Nursing

Background & Overview

Addressing the need to increase the retention and success of students in STEM majors (References: 3,5), City College is offering an Academy for STEM Success, a summer bridge program for preparing incoming high school graduates for success in science, technology, engineering and math majors. More than a bridging program on college success skills, the 3-day Academy will introduce students to the City College STEM culture of success and will teach them what every freshman STEM major must know to succeed.

Participating students will:

Learn about the City College STEM culture of success and language of success

Be trained on the best learning strategies and develop necessary study skills

Take the StrengthsQuest assessment to learn their five most dominant strengths

Meet professors from STEM departments

Receive guidance from City College Counselors about educational planning

Be mentored by successful City College students in STEM majors

Receive career advice from local STEM professionals

Meet City College staff and learn about available student services

Learn which school supplies are needed for organizing class notes and materials

Make new friends and build community with 49 other STEM majors

Have fun!

Prospective student participants, especially underrepresented minorities and women, will be recruited from City College’s feeder high schools. The fact that minorities remain seriously underrepresented in STEM disciplines, while they are also the most rapidly growing segment of the population, has produced a “new” American dilemma (2). Moreover, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), while they represent 8% of all U.S. postsecondary institutions, enroll more than 50% of the over two-million Latinos enrolled in college (6). The conditions are ideal for City College to implement this model Academy for STEM Success and take an important step towards becoming a leading community college in STEM education (1,4). City College is a designated HSI, with 42% Latino enrollment in Spring 2012, and it has the capacity for implementing this unique Academy, based on the successful City College MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Program and MESA culture of success.

Evaluation

An evaluation of the Academy’s effectiveness and longitudinal research on the success of participating students will be completed using a mixed-methods approach, including daily surveys and focus groups.

Engineering & Science Organizations

Special thanks to the following organizations for their support of and participation in the STEM Academy. Participation in these organizations is a great way for Academy participants to gain industry exposure, network with professionals, develop leadership skills in associated student chapters, receive scholarship opportunities, and explore career pathways.

Key Websites

Homework - Daily Preparation for Students

Each participating student is responsible for coming prepared to the STEM Academy each day. Here are the daily homework assignments. Complete each homework assignment and come prepared to ask questions.

Homework to be completed before Day 1 - Read and be familiar with the following materials:

School Supplies

STEM Academy participants will need the following supplies for their classes:

1" Binder with EZ-Turn RingNumber required: 1 for each class

Notice that these binders have the ring-bar attached to the back-side. This makes it easy to open the binder, and it reduces the wear-and-tear on your papers. Students must have a different binder for each of their classes.

3-Hole 5-Tab DividersNumber required: 1 set for each class binder plus 1 set for each 3-prong folder (see below)

The dividers will be very important for organizing the following class materials:
> BPR (Bullet Point Reading)
> Lecture Notes
> Homework
> Quizzes
> Handouts

3-Prong FoldersNumber required: 1 or more for each class depending on the number of tests

These folders will be very important for organizing class notes, materials and tests. Using different folder colors for different classes is also helpul. Example: Red for Math, Green for Chemistry, etc.

More than a tool, the Smartpen is a true "weapon" for learning. The Smartpen records everything you write and hear so you'll never miss a word. Then you can reply your lectures. The Smartpen writes on digital paper, and you can upload your notes to your computer and internet. Smartpens come with 2, 4 or 8 GB of memory. Search Google for availability and prices. The pen is also available in the City College Bookstore.